Black Pioneers in British Columbia National Historic Event
Saanichton, British Columbia
Image of ceremony unveiling the HSMBC plaque
© Parks Canada Agency / Agence Parcs Canada, 2006
Address :
7176 East Saanich Road, Saanichton, British Columbia
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1997-09-22
Event, Person, Organization:
-
Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps
(Organization)
Other Name(s):
-
Black Pioneers in British Columbia
(Designation Name)
-
Black Migration to Vancouver Island
(Other Name)
Research Report Number:
1997-008
Importance:
Influenced the founding and history of British Columbia; impact on religious, military and social institutions
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: 7176 East Saanich Road, Saanichton, British Columbia
In 1858, nearly 800 free Blacks left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco for a new life on Vancouver Island. Governor James Douglas had invited them here as promising settlers. Though still faced with intense discrimination, these pioneers enriched the political, religious and economic life of the colony. For example, Mifflin Gibbs became a prominent politician; Charles and Nancy Alexander initiated the Shady Creek Methodist Church; John Deas established a salmon cannery; and the group formed one of the earliest colonial militia units, the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps.